The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-08-04

tho reverse. Worn-out hair can be re-
placed by new coil at an expense Of
Is cents for the best grade Pure rosin
Is moulded In cakes of various forms,
which sell for 70 cents to 81. 75 per doz-
en-.
Among different makers of strings
the Italians hold first rank as regards
purity Of sound. Next comes the Ger
mans. whose make of strings prove
very durable, followed by the French
and other countries, in subordinate
rank. Italian superiority Is easily ex-
planned. In That beautiful climate
manufacturing is principally carried on
In the open air. Southern Germany is
fortunate in this respect, though In less
degree. Further north artificial pro-
cesses are rendered necessary for dy-
ing and finishing the product. and
strings may be said to deteriorate as a
rule in proportion to the distance the
mandatory IS removed from Italy.
The intestines of sheep and goats are
used in string-making, chiefly the for
mer. These are immersed in solutions
of alkalies, after which they are thor
oughly rinsed with water. When dry
the process Is repeated several times,
the alkaline baths growing stronger at
each stage of treatment. At length
the tegument is split into threads and
spun into strings. Skilled workmen
are necessary in the latter details, as
perfect strings should be uniform FIN
size throughout. The finest qualities
comes from lambs. Those slaughtered
in September yield the most desirable
materials. Friction from the fingers
in playing tends to separate the COM
ponent strands; particularly
is this the case when per-
spiration is induced by prolonged
exercise. A moist atmosphere is fatal
to gut strings In g-day weather silk
strings are frequently substituted.
Though the tone is not SO acceptable,
exemption from breakage repays the
loss. In selecting strings it is safe to
choose those of greatest transparency.
Dizziness of color indicates too many
threads or indifferent material. The
fourth string is covered with silver or
copper wire, or mixture of metals OF
great ductility. Silver is wound on gut
to good advantage. Those covered
with copper wire give more powerful
effects. Strings bearing either of these
metals have tendency to rise in pitch
from warmth of the fingers. To obviate
this annoyance mixed wire is used.
combining power and softness, which is
less liable to expansion. Fourth strings
as found in market are apt to be too
heavy. 1t is best to purchase all sizes
as they are needed, rs they seldom inn
prove after seasoning Old instruments
do not ordinarily require heavy strings.
Medium sizes that develop rich clear
tones are better adapted to mood, mel
lowed by century's existence in the
violin. Unduly loading the bridge
with coarse strings checks the more
sensitive vibrations and tends to dis
member the structure. Prices range
from 81 per bundle of thirty strings to
Sc per dozen. Fourth strings are made
in single lengths; other sizes usually
contain two to four lengths. A cata
loguc at hand quotes them in thirty.
seven grades.
The abomination of decent violins
widely advertised as "steel strings
scarcely deserves mention. Still many
are used by thoughtless ''tiddlers. y
They have one merit-strength. Not
only do they rapidly wear out the hal,
of the bow, and remorselessly tug a!
their task of tearing the top from its
slight hold on the sides, but when
played they jingle in metallic way
most narrowing to the soul of lover
| of the Instruments true tone.